“I don’t want to say I’m more so watching as opposed to playing in it,” Barkley said of the quarterback competition on Sunday, via CSNPhilly.com. “I’ll still say that until one’s named.”

The numbers suggest that Barkley won’t get the job. He has completed 53 percent of his passes in two preseason games, against backups on defense. In contrast, Vick has completed 83 percent, and Foles has connected on 79 percent of his attempts.

“You try to complete every ball, and every time that’s not the case,” Barkley said. “You want that to be high, but it’s kind of hard to look at numbers right now. Just looking at the circumstances that you’re put in and whatnot, you want that number to be higher, but I try to look at concepts.”

It would be a radical concept for Barkley to emerge from nowhere to get the job — especially since he has gotten no reps with the first-string offense.

Maybe it wouldn’t be that radical. On Sunday, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur praised the only quarterback in the top three who has arrived to the team on Kelly’s watch.

“He’s made great strides,” Shurmur said of Barkley, in quotes distributed by the team. “I think when you notice Matt, I think the truth can be said about his work in the games. As he settled down, he played better, so I think it’s just a matter of him playing more and more and more.

“I’ve said it before, we’ve seen him do tremendous things in college, and he’ll pull the trigger. He gets rid of the ball quickly, which is a tremendous attribute for a quarterback, and he’s like everybody else. He’s learning the offense and getting comfortable with the plays we call, and I think you’ll only see him get better and better. . . . [I]f we put him in the ballgame, we would have confidence that he could execute for us. ”

None of that means Barkley has a chance to emerge as the starter in 2013. But none of it means he doesn’t.

Even if Barkley doesn’t get the job now, it could be only a matter of time before he becomes the quarterback who takes over Kelly’s offense in Philadelphia.

I feel bad for Eagles fans. They went from ALWAYS coming up short with
Mcnab, to Vick/Foles/Barkley fighting for the job. From Heartbreak to HeartAche.

thesmartest1 says:Aug 19, 2013 6:41 PM

Yeah, I’m in it too.

tindeaux says:Aug 19, 2013 6:47 PM

keep the hope up. we’ve seen vick and foles played in regular season games. we haven’t seen barkley. i’m saying as long as you’re not proven a bust, you’re not. so i’ll judge barkley after he plays some regular season games. in the mean time, good luck!

Watching him this pre-season the one attribute that continuously jumps out at me is Barkley’s lack of arm strength/talent/velocity! Being able to get the ball out quickly and make the proper reads are 2 parts of the equation but the lack of arm talent negates much of both of the two aforementioned attributes IMO! Let’s be honest, how many times do we have to witness Top Notch Collegiate USC QB’s transition into Below Average/Mediocre NFL QB’s to realize this is more than just a trend??LOL

I find his comments appropriate and reasonable. If a starter hasn’t been named, why wouldn’t a rookie quarterback work hard to keep improving and showing his game? Do the fans and media really want him to go on record and say “Yeah, I totally don’t have a chance so why bother competing?” Even if he privately realizes it, he’s smart enough not to say it out loud.

I think Barkley deserves some space and encouragement. While rookie QBs have had some exciting NFL starts in recent years, nothing wrong with being a newbie QB in a back-up role and growing your skills.

I don’t think he will be the starter this year. That said he easily could be. All it would take is the inevitable Vick injury and a couple bad games by Foles. I think he will get a legit shot against Foles next year (Vick will be gone unless he has an MVP type year, IMHO)

OK we get it Barkley you’re a real competitor but you are not ready to play QB in the NFL. Keep it real.

My expectations were low for him based on play at USC and after watching him in preseason they are even lower now. Has a weak arm and reminds me of Jimmy Clausen with the Panthers. That’s not a compliment BTW.

ytownjoe says:Aug 19, 2013 8:30 PM

It’s gonna be a long season in Philly.

bobbyhoying says:Aug 19, 2013 8:54 PM

Any of the three can lead the team to points. It’s the D that is the weak link and will be for a year or two. Maybe we’ll outscore a few teams or face a few more Cam Newton skill level QB’s and win there or four games.

Absolutely perfect picture!! lol, no Matt, you’re not in the race anymore. Vick is definitely capable of the random aging vetaran good year. If he can stay healthy, they have a shot.

thereyougo2 says:Aug 19, 2013 9:57 PM

What’s with the weak arm thing? He’s completing 49percent with the players who won’t make the team. Prior to his injured plagued 2012 season he was excellent and no one complained about a WEAK arm. Let him play some with the ones against the ones. Probably will not happen until six seven games into the season. Barkley thinks fast and throws accurate. Bal still comes out faster than his present competition.